Military dogs stay cool with vests

We know American troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan sweat bullets while bullets blast around them. But their military working dogs swelter as well, in blistering heat that can climb to 120 degrees every day.

A dedicated group with the silly-sounding website name, helpingudders.com, has led a crusade to furnish "ChillyDog" cooling vests to keep the K-9s cool while they performing their valuable service.

They make all the difference, says Pat Leone of Califon, who alerted me to Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club's involvement. The Morris County group raised funds to purchase two vests after past president Elaine Werner of Rockaway told how she and her husband, Bud, became directly involved this past Christmas.

COOL GIFTS
"We decided, instead of giving gifts to each other, that we'd buy two vests," she said, which cost $229 each, including a replacement pack. "Wearing the vests enables the dogs to work twice as long. Handlers carry the replacement ice pack, so that when one dog works 10 to 20 minutes, he can rest, while that vest goes on a second dog."

Obviously, this was a magnanimous gesture of the Werners, but I wanted to know why they cared so much about military dogs. Turns out that William ("Bud") Werner is a retired lieutenant colonel, Army Reserves, whose active duty was in Germany when the Berlin Wall was standing. The couple also are passionate about Dobermans and have three of their own -- one a champion in the show ring. "Did you know that over 80 percent of military dogs in World War II were Dobermans?" Elaine Werner asked. Actually, I did -- because my parents had a Dobie back then.

MAKING A CONNECTION
Here's a small-world story: After they had made a gift of the Chilly vests, the Werners booked a K-9 College Cruise to the Caribbean (allcruising.com/K9cruise). During the cruise, they chatted with seminar leader Carmen Battaglia, a licensed AKC judge and behavioral scientist. As soon as Battaglia heard about their donation, he announced that his son Vincent was a handler in Iraq. Battaglia put them in touch with Vincent, who said more vests are most definitely needed.

Speaking from his home in Roswell, Ga., Carmen Battaglia shared some honors Vincent has earned during two tours in Iraq, serving as paramedic and cross-trained as a shooter -- roles requiring a dog in many instances. "He's earned hero of the year and the bronze star, and when he came home Aug. 1, he said that was his last tour in Iraq," said the proud, relieved father. "He sustained four head injuries -- three requiring surgery -- while operating outside the wire (with no protection) since last November."

MORE GENEROSITY
Tomorrow, Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club holds its annual dog show from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mennen Arena in Morristown. Want to know more? Call (908) 832-7407.

Werner promised: "We'll have some soldiers there and a box to collect donations for the military working dogs." So far, 267 cooling vests have been allocated to dogs in Iraq and Afghanistan -- but more are needed.

Schooley's has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Christopher Levine of Roselle Park. In his fourth year at Oregon State University's veterinary school, Chris has a 3.97 average and plans to practice in New Jersey. He also won a research grant from Merck-Merial's scholarship program, working this summer on a research project for the corporation.

Next week: A Bayonne man finds a unique way to remember a beloved dog.